From the developer who brought us RunloopSound, Csound for iOS, comes Plectrum, a classic emulation of plucked string instruments. It is impossible not to fall in love with its deep and complex sonority. Plectrum supports USB and Bluetooth MIDI devices and works both as a standalone application, and as an Audio Unit plugin for GarageBand and many other hosts.

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This is a really interesting idea and a very different take on gestural control. I can see that this could be really useful for guitarists. I’m inclined to give it a go myself too, especially with Audiobus integration.

Vulse is the only app that lets you control effects WHILE you play by touching your screen and rotating your guitar.

Mix and match combinations of effects like Wah, Pitch Shift, and Echo.

Put Vulse in sequence with other apps using Audiobus & Inter-App Audio

Assign effects to the X and Y touch coordinates and the angle of your phone’s rotation

Multi-touch and hold-off mode enable completely new ways of interacting with your effects, creating sounds that are impossible to make using a physical effect pedal or whammy bar

Dedicated kill switch and bypass button on the Play screen

Wave visualizer and glow effects on the Play screen make Vulse more visually captivating than any physical effect pedal ever made

First bring your iPhone within reach by temporarily affixing it to the face of your guitar, using a micro-suction phone case, hook-and-loop tape, or any other method you prefer. Then plug in your guitar using an adapter like iRig or JAM. Now you’re ready to create completely original sounds using Vulse!

Something new from zCage, a new guitar app a year in the making… OMGuitar12 is twelve string version of the popular OMGuitar 6 String App. Whilst I’m not big on guitar apps myself I can see the appeal of something like this and I do remember OMGuitar being well received when it first came out (back in the days of Amidio if you remember that)!

There is a dedicated string-picking/arpeggio interface, represented as a column of 6 buttons, which can easily be played together with the string strumming interface. Note bend effect is achieved by swiping the button area.

The glowing neon strings themselves respond to the speed of strumming and the distance between themselves and the initial screen tap. The player is supposed to strum the guitar with one finger and place the second finger on the guitar at any time for muting all the strings (this option can be turned off in the settingsmenu). With such approach, many common guitar playing techniques can be easily accomplished.

You can choose from about 300 chords to play 99% of the songs ever written. The songs are conveniently saved as chord sets and can be loaded with a single tap.

Some of the world’s best and most expensive guitar models have been sampled with great precision and act as the source for the synthesis engine. There are 6 completely different playable guitars, 3 acoustic and 3 electric. The tone can be further shaped with the 3-band equalizer.

I thought I’d post a few recent tracks of mine which show what I’ve been doing with IK’s iRig Acoustic, which, I have to say, I’m really impressed with. I’ve been using it with my Ukulele and I’m so pleased with the results.

So here’s a few things I’ve made using it. I hope you like them.

I think it shows how clear and distinct the sound is even with a lot of effects used.

In terms of how each track was constructed, here’s the ingredients for each:

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So, just some standard unboxing photos. I have to say that I’ve been very impressed with the packaging and also the actual iRig Acoustic package itself as well. I especially like the case that the device comes in. It feels like a really well thought out idea.

I’m going to post again about my first impressions of the iRig Acoustic, so expect that in a day or so.

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I’m actually very interested in this new combo from IK. I’ve messed around with these kinds of mics before, but never been satisfied, so I’m really keen to see how well IK have managed to get the software and hardware to work together.

I’m hoping to have one quite soon, and when I do I’ll be trying it out on a couple of guitars and a ukulele as well.

For now, here’s the app store description and some of the videos showing the hardware itself.

THE NO#1 TONE STUDIO HAS GONE ACOUSTIC! CONNECT YOUR GUITAR, UKULELE OR OTHER INSTRUMENT TO YOUR PHONE WITH iRIG ACOUSTIC AND PROCESS WITH 3 AMPLIFIERS AND 6 STOMPS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS!

AmpliTube Acoustic is a complete mobile tone studio for acoustic instrument recording and processing. Powered by AmpliTube technology, it lets you practice, play and record with a collection of acoustic-centric virtual gear that offers world-class tone and sonic sculpting flexibility anytime and everywhere.

Build your own custom rig with up to 6 stompbox FX and 3 amps. You can even drag and drop your stomps to sit before or after your amplifier (4 slots pre and 2 slots post).

Designed for use with IK’s iRig Acoustic mobile acoustic instrument interface, it provides plug-and-play sound thanks to its built-in calibration system that sculpts iRig Acoustic’s EQ response to suit your particular acoustic guitar. With the two combined, you can get studio-grade condenser microphone sound from an interface that slips easily into your pocket.

AmpliTube Acoustic gives you 6 creative stompbox effects and 3 amazing amps that are all tailored for acoustic instruments. Turn your acoustic into a jangling 12 string with the “12 String” simulator, add some low-end with the “Bass Maker” or even change your guitar’s body from big to small (or vice versa) with the “Body Modeler.” Feed your signal through solid state or tube amps and graphic EQs to get just the sound you want. Use the “Feed Kill,” a special stomp, to have the app eliminate feedback for you through smart frequency filtering.

You’ll be absolutely floored by the sound quality. AmpliTube Acoustic uses the same tone technology as the acclaimed AmpliTube 4 Custom Shop for OS X and PC. You’ll hear the difference and understand why AmpliTube is an essential for so many professional musicians and recording studios.

Like to loop? Now you can get creative with loops in AmpliTube via its new Super Looper. It makes it easy to record, play back, adjust levels and play along with up to 4 loops. Looper is controllable via MIDI or iRig BlueBoard. Looper feature is available for in-app purchase.

Need a drummer? Use the built-in Loop Drummer system to jam to killer drum tracks. Make your own rhythmic patterns or let it create some inspiring drums for you. Get more loops via in-app Style Packs.

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BIAS FX turns your iPad into a world-class, guitar amp-and-effects processor. It gives you an endless collection of insanely great-sounding guitar pedalboards, ultra-high definition stereo rack effects, dual amps and dual signal chain. You can share and download users and artists signature guitar pedalboards from the cloud.All new advanced multi-effects enginePositive Grid’s approach engineering BIAS FX with a no-compromise mindset, from a detailed touch in distortion emulation to the double precision algorithm in chorus, we strive for the best possible sound quality. A huge collection of newly developed, high-definition pedal and rack effects are included: gate, boosters, overdrive, distortion, fuzz, equalizers, tremolo, phaser, flanger, chorus, octaver, compressors, delays, spring and plate reverbs—everything a guitar player needs for massive tone, with all the flavor of both modern and vintage stomp boxes. Throw all that together – it is pedalboard heaven, but without the hassle of hauling around dozens of stomps in a heavy metal box and fumbling with a snakepit of cables. Show up at the studio or gig, boot up and play!Insanely powerful, yet easy to useBIAS FX is the most powerful processor ever designed by Positive Grid, yet its simple drag-and-drop interface makes it extremely easy to use. Dual amps provide the resonance and vibrancy of playing through two real amps set up together in wide stereo. When integrated with BIAS AMP (separate app), you can select a different preamp, power amp, cab, mic and eq for each of the two amps. Patch everything together, including all pedals and rack effects, in any order you wish in dual signal paths running in parallel.Download pedalboard from the cloudThere are already hundreds of pedalboard configurations available on ToneCloud for you to own, and the banquet keeps getting bigger and bigger: Positive Grid are currently working with professional artists, producers, and engineers from all over the world to create a massive, ever-growing library of extraordinary virtual pedalboards and rigs for BIAS FX. Browsing and downloading from that library is a snap: All the effects and amps in each setup can be seen at a glance, because they’re stored as Pedalboard-like snapshots. Simply scroll through the online images to select the presets of interest, then tap or click to download.Inter app audio routing engineBIAS FX integrates a brand new inter-app audio routing engine, you can easily insert any Inter-App-Audio compatible audio apps in BIAS FX’s dual signal paths, just like connecting audio effects app with virtual cables. BIAS FX makes it easy to go nuts with your audio apps.

Full integration with BIAS AMP gives you unprecedented control over designing your own fully customized amps

Dual signal path and dual amp processing

Brand new splitter switches between and combines dual signal paths, adjusting the level and frequency range for each path to give you more tone-shaping possibilities

Live View mode lets you recall any preset with a single tap and toggle on/off any single effect or category of effects

Pedalboard View shows all the effects and amps in the currently loaded preset at once

Global Settings optimizes BIAS FX’s output to sound the best in any environment—including sending to a mixer, amp head or combo or stack power amp—by letting you EQ and selectively deactivate the app’s preamp, tone stack, power amp and cab separately for each destination.

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Yonac brings us ToneStack GO (universal), the freemium version of ToneStack GO. Here’s the detail:

ToneStack GO is the ultimate in signal processing: with the largest variety of amps & FX, the latest advancements in modeling technology, and an unbelievably powerful yet simple interface – it simply shreds all the other guys.

Right away, enjoy a classic amp & cab, and 7 meticulously designed FX. Expand to a total of 24 amps & cabs, and 71 FX – the largest collection on iOS.

Thanks to ToneStack GO’s state-of-the-art “Virtual Circuit” technology, each ToneStack GO unit is the digital mirror image of a real analog topology. Unlike other FX apps that try to copycat with EQing and other gimmicks, ToneStack GO recreates the intricate designs of the real thing. The result is a warm, responsive tone with the natural behavior you find in analog units.

ToneStack GO also brings many powerful guitar FX to the iOS for the first time: polyphonic octaver, harmonizer, realistic spring reverbs, virtual-reel tape delays are just a few examples.

The Most Versatile Signal Chain on iOS

Why be limited with just 4 or 8 FX that other guys max you out at? ToneStack GO lets you run a whopping 64 amps & effects simultaneously* so you can let your imagination run wild.

For even more power, ToneStack GO includes a unique ABY unit not found in other FX apps. Split your signal anywhere: run dual amp setups, switch or blend FX chains, or multiplex your signal via frequency splitting – countless permutations, all up to you.

You can match any amp with any cab (all cabs have 3 mics with distance & position settings); you can insert any unit anywhere – even between amps and cabs like a true FX loop. Managing your signal chain is as easy as dragging and dropping an icon!

All the Pro Features of iOS

Enjoy the full power of the platform’s top MIDI and Preset systems. MIDI learn is super-intuitive thanks to ToneStack GO’s interface: all the amp & FX controls are MIDI-programmable. Effortlessly create UNLIMITED banks and presets – share them at the touch of a button. ToneStack GO is an Inter-App Audio effect, and works in any Audiobus slot.

INTRO PRICE for a limited time only! ToneStack is the ultimate in signal processing: with the largest variety of amps & FX, the latest advancements in modeling technology, and an unbelievably powerful yet simple interface – it simply shreds all the other guys.

Thanks to ToneStack’s state-of-the-art “Virtual Circuit” technology, each ToneStack unit is the digital mirror image of a real analog topology. Unlike other FX apps that try to copycat with EQing and other gimmicks, ToneStack recreates the intricate designs of the real thing. The result is a warm, responsive tone with the natural behavior you find in analog units.

Right away, enjoy 6 classic amps & cabs, and 20 meticulously designed FX. Expand to a total of 24 amps & cabs, and 70 FX – the largest collection on iOS.

ToneStack also brings many powerful guitar FX to the iOS for the first time: polyphonic octaver, harmonizer, realistic spring reverbs, virtual-reel tape delays are just a few examples.

The Most Versatile Signal Chain on iOS

Why be limited with just 4 or 8 FX that other guys max you out at? ToneStack lets you run a whopping 64 amps & effects simultaneously* so you can let your imagination run wild.

For even more power, ToneStack includes a unique ABY unit not found in other FX apps. Split your signal anywhere: run dual amp setups, switch or blend FX chains, or multiplex your signal via frequency splitting – countless permutations, all up to you.

You can match any amp with any cab (all cabs have 3 mics with distance & position settings); you can insert any unit anywhere – even between amps and cabs like a true FX loop. Managing your signal chain is as easy as dragging and dropping an icon!

inSTUDIO & Other Goodies

Wanna quickly sketch out an idea, or cut a song and share it? ToneStack offers a powerful 8-Track recorder – first two tracks free — with plenty of user-friendly features. Fire up the built-in Tapedeck to quickly record an idea or create loops, or manipulate audio with its Hi-Q pitch & time shift. Import & export audio via email, WiFi, iTunes or copy/paste. Built-in tuner, metronome and a custom onSTAGE mode are just a few other amazing ToneStack features.

All the Pro Features of iOS

Enjoy the full power of the platform’s top MIDI and Preset systems. MIDI learn is super-intuitive thanks to ToneStack’s WYSIWYG interface: all the amp & FX controls are MIDI-programmable. Effortlessly create UNLIMITED banks and presets – share them at the touch of a button. ToneStack is an Inter-App Audio effect, and works in any Audiobus slot.

BIAS Custom AmpJamUp now comes with free Positive Grid’s BIAS amp; you can taste the powerful BIAS tone inside JamUp and go deeply into full customization with the optional BIAS-app on iPhone and iPad, bringing the amp modeling world to a whole new level.

Introducing the unique acoustic imaging technology: Acoustic Expansion PackFeaturing Positive Grid’s acoustic imaging technology that restores a studio-miked sound to a undersaddle or soundhole pickup. This is the complete acoustic tone solution for both acoustic and electric guitar players. It comes with the new and premium Acoustic Simulator that any electric guitar into realistic acoustic tone. The included models are: Acoustic Imaging, Acoustic Pro Simulator, Acoustic EQ and Acoustic Reverb.

Vintage Effects Expansion PackFeatures 8 most vaunted and valuable guitar effects revisiting the times when the modern guitar tone was born, whether for innovation, inspiration, sound, sheer popularity, or all of the above, each unit can make the perfect cut! The included models are based on: *Dallas Rangemaster® Treble Booster, *Electro Harmonix® Small Clone, Big Muff, Knockout Attack EQ, *Boss® DM-2 Analog Delay, *Voodoo Labs® Vibe, *Fulltone® OCD Overdrive and *Demeter Tremulator Tremolo.

Gurus Amp Expansion PackPositive Grid partnered with Cicognani Engineering who developed 3 extremely powerful Amps. The Guru Amps Models provide all the juice needed to fuel the guitar tone with sweet’n’deep crunch styled sound. All from a light squeeze of overdrive to full on classic distortion and everything in between. The included amp models are based on Gurus Naked amplifier’s Sexy Channel, Crunch Channel and Lead Channel.